NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The mailbag is stuffed and I’ve left it unattended for too long.
So here are my best replies to your best questions as we head into the big weekend.
Robert Saleh has a history of top 10 defenses. Do the Titans make the playoffs they have a top 10 defense in 2026?
— Buck Stephens☀️ (@buckstephens007) May 8, 2026
It’s too independent of a stat to say it will determine their success.
Four teams with top 10 defenses didn’t make the playoffs last year – Minnesota was still a good team at 9-8. But the Browns (5-11), Saints (6-11) and Chiefs (6-11) were poor even with strong yardage defense units.
Scoring defense is a better way to look at it, I think. Only two teams that were top 10 in scoring defense missed the playoffs last year, the Chiefs and Vikings. I’m not factoring in, as these stats don’t, a pick or fumble return for a TD or a special teams score.
